Upcycling old Furniture is a great way to improve your home for less. It is also a fantastic way to go greener and ensure you do as little harm and as much good as possible in the way you live your life. What is just an old and ugly piece of furniture to some, can to others be an opportunity to create something new and beautiful. Here are a few ideas to inspire you to take on your own upcycling project:

Paint Old Furniture with Eco-Friendly Chalk Paint

Chalk paint is low in VOCs and water based, so it is far better for the environment than other paint options. Use some to cover up tatty old furniture. It can help to blend an item in to your home décor, can be used on a wide range of different materials, and could keep those items out of landfill.

Sand Wooden Furniture to Reveal the Wood Beneath

Some old pieces of Wooden Furniture may be stained or varnished in a way that does not appeal to you. Rather than giving up on those pieces, you may be able to simply remove the layers of stain or varnish by sanding it to reveal the beautiful wood that lies beneath.

Use an Eco-Friendly Stain, Wax or Polish

Once you have stripped old wooden furniture back to the grain, you can choose how to finish your upcycled piece. Wood can be stained in an eco-friendly way using everyday household items like coffee or tea. Natural oils like linseed oil can be used to protect the wood. Beeswax is a green polish choice and can make your upcycled project gleam.

Découpage Old Furniture To Give it a New Lease of Life

Another inventive way to turn an old and ugly piece of furniture into something special, and personal to you, is to cover the top, sides, or the inside of the drawers using the technique of découpage. This simply involves covering the area with glue (use an eco-friendly option), pasting pictures from old magazines, photos, maps or whatever you want to the area, and then covering in a clear layer of varnish. (Again, green varnish options are available.)

Re-Upholster Old Chairs or Sofas

Wooden furniture is not the only type of old furniture that can be given a new lease of life. Old chairs or sofas with worn out or ugly fabric can often be upcycled with a few rudimentary upholstering skills. Consider sourcing and using reclaimed fabrics for a truly waste-not, want-not and eco conscious approach.

These are just a few ideas to inspire you to give your home a sustainable makeover and take more steps towards a greener way of life.